| 6. | Kt. takes K’s P. | 6. | P. to Q’s 4th. |
| 7. | B. to Q’s 3d. | 7. | B. to Q’s 3d. |
| 8. | K’s Kt. to B’s 3d. | 8. | Castles. |
| 9. | Castles. | |
| Black has no inferiority of position. |
THE KING’S GAMBIT.
Game I.
This beautiful and brilliant début, which, as Mr. Staunton observes, gives birth to the most intricate and beautiful combinations the chess-men are susceptible of, has been a universal favourite with every class of players from the earliest stages of European Chess up to the present day. In order to facilitate the analysis of this opening, as far as our narrow limits will permit, we shall divide it into its three principal heads; viz., The King’s Knight’s Gambit, The [Allgaier Gambit], and the [King’s Bishop’s Gambit], and afterwards devote a few words to the [Gambit Declined].
| | WHITE. | | BLACK. |
|---|
| 1. | P. to K’s 4th. | 1. | P. to K’s 4th. |
| 2. | P. to K. B’s 4th. | 2. | P. takes P. |
| 3. | K’s Kt. to B’s 3d. | 3. | P. to K. Kt.’s 4th. |
This is Black’s best move, indeed the only one to retain the gambit pawn. He, however, may obtain a nearly equal game by 3. P. to Q,’s 4th. If he play 3. B. to K’s 2d, commonly known as the Cunningham Gambit, White replies with B. to Q. B’s 4th, and on Black’s checking with B. at R’s 5th, plays K. to B’s sq., with a much better game.
| 4. | B. to Q. B’s 4th. | 4. | B. to K. Kt.’s 2d (best), or [Var. A.] |
| 5. | P. to Q B’s 3d. | 5. | P. to K. R’s 3d. (best.) |
Should Black play the obvious-looking move of 4. P. to Q’s 3d, White gains a striking advantage by the following mode of play:—
| | 6. Q. to Q. Kt.’s 3d. | | 6. Q. to K’s 2d. |
| | 7. Q. to Q. Kt.’s 5th. (ch.) | | 7. B. on P. interposes. |
| | 8. Q. takes K. Kt.’s P., &c. | |
| 6. | P. to Q’s 4th. | 6. | P. to Q’s 3d. |
| 7. | Castles. | 7. | Q’s Kt. to Q’s 2d. |